I always want to love Chinese food. The few places in the area that serve vegetarian options usually tend to lack the complexity of flavors that is notorious with Chinese food; nothing more than a mix of rice, vegetables, and a sauce. Please girl, I refuse to pay for anything that I can make better at home.

However, I do love the idea of seeing a chinese take-out box in the fridge. What is it about leftover chinese food that makes me wish I was living a Sex & the City kinda life?

Anyways, I was craving some pretend-takeout food a few weeks ago and came up with this, a combination of my two favorite  dishes, orange chicken & sesame chicken. Perfectly crisp with a bright orange sauce, healthy Chinese food never tasted so good.

Sesame Orange Tofu

Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
12 oz. extra-firm tofu
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/8 tsp. salt

Orange Sauce:
1/2 cup vegetable broth
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
4 tbsp orange marmalade
2 tbsp minced garlic
3 tbsp unflavored rice vinegar
2 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions:

Rinse and pat dry tofu blocks. Cut into cutlets or strips: first cut in 1/2 length wise and then in 1/2 width wise.

In a large shallow bowl, place the sesame seeds. Place cutlet face down into seeds and press firmly to adhere. Flip over and coat the other side.

In a cast-iron or other heavy duty skillet, heat the oil to medium-high. When you sprinkle water on the oil, it should dance. Place the tofu in the pan and cook until crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and place onto paper towels.

To prepare Orange Sauce: Whisk all ingredients together. Pour into a small sauce pan and bring to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat to low and let cook another 5 minutes until thick.

To serve: place sesame tofu over rice, cover with orange sauce.

What is your favorite Chinese dish?